Italy crowned men's artistic gymnastics European team champions at Antalya 2023
Host nation Türkiye thrilled the crowd on Tuesday (11 April) with second place while defending champions Great Britain, fielding an inexperienced side, finished third.
Artistic Gymnastics
Italy's men emulated the 2022 women's side in claiming the artistic gymnastics team crown at the European Championships taking place in Antalya, Türkiye on Tuesday (11 April) and made history while they were at it, securing the title for the first time.
A raucous home crowd spurred on the host nation who claimed second spot with a score of 248.262 to Italy's 249.526.
Defending champions, Great Britain, meanwhile, won bronze with a combined score of 246.961, to pip Switzerland on 246.329, to the final place on the podium despite fielding a team minus six-time Olympic medallist Max Whitlock, European all-around champion Joe Fraser and world floor champion Giarnni Regini-Moran, who are all out injured.
Italy's artistic gymnasts make history
Even without their renowned talisman, Nicola Bartolini, the 2021 world floor champion, the Italian squad of Yumin Abbadini, Lorenzo Minh Casali, Matteo Levantesi, Marco Lodadio and Mario Macchiati made history for their nation in a tightly fought contest that went down to the last apparatus.
Helped by scores such as Levantesi’s 14.733 on parallel bars – leaving him third in the qualification for that apparatus – and Lodadio’s 14.633 on rings (sixth in the standings) the team roared with delight when the final rankings were revealed. Their compatriot, Carlo Macchini, competing individually, also performed a stunning high bar routine that topped the qualification table in that discipline.
Türkiye's extra special silver
If you want to be reminded how good artistic gymnastics is, invite a load of school children in for free and listen to them whoop and holler at every somersault, landing, twist, and tumble.
When those same kids are from Türkiye, the nation that is still recovering from the trauma of February’s devastating earthquake, the joy is multiplied. With a stripped-down championships omitting extras such as the mascot and additional entertainment the gymnasts, especially an emotional Türkiye side, put on quite the show.
A sensational performance from Adem Asil, Ferhat Arican, Ahmet Onder, Mehmet Ayberk Kosak and Kerem Sener, equalled their best-ever result, at another home event, Mersin 2020, providing a salve for the emotional occasion.
Defending champions, Great Britain fielded an inexperienced side with just Courtney Tulloch and Jake Jarman with previous international competition pedigree. They were joined by Luke Whitehouse, Adam Tobin and Joshua Nathan.
“It’s hard to put into words," said Whitehouse post-competition. "This is my first experience of a major championship and to have a medal around my neck feels incredible. I just have a massive feeling of pride, representing my country and standing on the medal podium - it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Tulloch summed up the team spirit saying: "I just feel so happy. It’s a new team and we weren’t really fully sure what to expect today and I’m so proud of the way the team have pulled together. It’s a fantastic result for this group and we’re all delighted.”
The 2020 junior European champion Illia Kovtun of Ukraine topped the all-around qualification, almost two points ahead of nearest rivals Asil**,** with Jarman, third.
In the individual apparatus qualifications, reigning world champions Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland on pommel horse, Asil (rings) and Armenia's Artur Davtyan (vault) all topped their respective signature disciplines. Euros debutant Harry Hepworth of Great Britain, competing in an individual capacity, outscored Olympic champion Artur Dolgopyat on floor. Double European parallel bars champion Arican posted the top score in that discipline.
With scores going back to zero for the individual all-around and apparatus finals, it's all to play for.
The women's turn comes on Wednesday 12 April with the team and qualification events.
European Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023: Men's team final results
1 Italy 249.526
2 Türkiye 248.262
3 Great Britain 246.961
How to watch 2023 European Gymnastics Championships in Antalya, Türkiye
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